NEW YORK - Emma Raducanu still has to pinch herself to realise she is indeed the winner of the US Open as that reality has yet to sink into her fully.
It has been a whirlwind experience for the 18-year-old as comes to grips with it and all the adulation that has followed since.
The winner of a Grand Slam title in only her second appearance, Raducanu's life has been turned inside out as she's been on television talk shows, met F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, attended the Met Gala and ticked off one item on her bucket list after visiting the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
"Sometimes, I just have random bursts where I think, 'Oh my God, I just won the US Open'," Raducanu said on returning to the UK.
"And then I go about as normal as if nothing has happened."
She says that after watching replays of her final with Lehlah Fernandez it has begun to sink in.
Her victory has made her an overnight celebrity as she gets invited to various functions among which was the Met Gala where she rubbed shoulders with celebrities and fashion designers.
A huge F1 fan, it made her day when she met Hamilton saying "He's such a huge inspiration."'
Raducanu who set for her A-levels in the summer did take Economics as a subject and thus her visit to the NYSE.
Her advice to the young is to dream big because anything can happen. After all, she is the living proof.
British prime minister Boris Johnson has spoken to her while the Queen has also congratulated her on her achievement.
Her win at the US Open has seen her make a significant jump in the rankings - moving from 127 to 23 - and fans will only probably see her next in action at the Indian Wells in October. - Agencies, September 20, 2021
